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Dr. Raman spent his whole life in the study of relations between cosmic and terrestrial phenomena. He was able to demonstrate by his writings and predictions made through The Astrological Magazine and other media that the astrological theory of cosmic influences affecting human life is essentially correct. Through a number of books, lectures and research papers, Dr. Raman influenced the educated public and made them astrology-conscious. His special fields of research were Hindu astronomy, astro-psychology, weather and political forecasts, disease diagnosis, natural calamities, management and other areas in relation to celestial phenomena. Dr. Raman travelled round the world several times representing India at the Astrological Congress held at Cambridge, England and the International Astrology Conference at New York. He delivered innumerable lectures in Germany, England, France, Italy, Austria, Holland, Canada, Japan and the United States of America, addressing universities, medical associations and educational and cultural institutions on different aspects of astrology, Hindu astronomy, philosophy and Indian culture. Dr. Raman was the first to deliver a lecture Relevance of Astrology in Modern Times in 1970 at the United Nations, New York, which evoked much interest in diplomatic circles. He said that Astrology was a science and not mere mumbo jumbo. Dr. Raman presided over several important conferences at both national and international levels. He delivered the keynote address at the First International Symposium on Vedic Astrology in October 1994 at San Rafael, California, U.S.A. when he was honoured with the Life-time Achievement Award for his services to the cause of astrology. He was conferred the Man of the Year 1995 award by the Centenarian Trust, Madras, formed in the memory of the Kanchi Paramacharya, in February 1996. He was the inaugural speaker and chief guest at the National Conference on Disaster and Technology held at Manipal on 25-9-1998. Dr. Raman received an honorary Ph.D. from the Pythagorean University in 1947. In the same year, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, London and a member of the Royal Asiatic Society. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Literature by the Akhila Bharateeya Samskrita Sammelana in 1968 and the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by the Kumaon University (U.P.) in June 1976. Dr. Raman holds a string of titles such as Abhinava Varahamihira, Jyotisha Bhanu, Jyotisha Vignana Marthanda, Jyotisha Ratna, Abhinava Bhaskara, Jyotisha Bhooshana etc. conferred on him by various organisations. Dr. B.V. Raman was born in a village near Bangalore in 1912 and had his early education in a village school. He completed his collegiate studies in Science at Central College, Bangalore. During the period of his studies in the University, he also specialised in homeopathy and obtained a Diploma. Dr. Raman restarted The Astrological Magazine in 1936 and was its editor for over 62 years. In fact, this is a unique case of one single individual editing a monthly uninterruptedly for over 62 years and rightly merits a place in the Guinesses Book of Records. It is now run by his daughter Smt. Gayatri Devi Vasudev and his son Mr. B. Niranjan Babu. The Astrological Magazine, held to be the only journal of its type in Asia, has earned an international reputation as a great exponent of Indian culture in general and astrology in particular. Its views are held in esteem by the educated public. Dr. Raman made, through the columns of The Astrological Magazine and through his publications, several outstanding predictions about world events such as the Second World War, its course and termination; fates of Hitler, Mussolini, Hirohito and other world celebrities; Indian Independence, the tragic assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and other notable events such as the Chinese Invasion of India, Pandit Nehrus death, Khruschevs fall, Johnsons election, Nixons election and fall, Indo-Pakistan conflicts, West Asian Wars, fall of the Shah of Iran, Vietnam War, the declaration of Emergency in India, the assassination of the Bangladesh President, death of the Soviet leader Brezhnev, assassination of Indira Gandhi, the scams involving Narasimha Rao, the 1996 elections and the formation of the Indian government made up of representatives of almost all parties, not to speak of earthquakes and other natural disasters with amazing accuracy. Dr. Raman founded an all India body, the Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (Regd.) in 1984 to regulate the study and practise of astrology in the country with Chapters in Bangalore, Madras, Delhi, Kanpur, Trivandrum, Patna and other cities. As Founder President, he enthused and inspired the intelligentsia to take up the study of astrology as a serious pursuit. Countless students dawn from different academic and professional backgrounds are now being taught astrology according to a two-tier syllabus producing a crop of enlightened and systemmatically trained astrology students.In 1992, Dr. Raman, on a vist to the United States of America to deliver the keynote address of the First International Symposium on Vedic Astrology held at San Rafael, California, mooted the idea of a national body to organise the study of Indian astrology in the States. The American Council of Vedic Astrology was founded under Dr. Raman's blessings by a group of Americans and this has led to countless people in that country taking to the study of Indian astrology. Dr. Raman was the first to give a rational exposition of astrology in his book Planetary Influences on Human Affairs defending his claim by statistical data refuting the arguments of its critics. Dr. Raman was never a professional astrologer but yet was consulted and his guidance sought by scientists, political leaders, saints, medical doctors, industrialists and heads of governments and people from all strata of life. His visitors were drawn from all walks of life. He was assisted in his activities by his devoted wife Mrs. Rajeswari Raman, who takes keen interest not only in astrology but also in the study of Yoga, especially in its application to women. Mrs. Rajeswari Raman is a practical exponent of Hatha Yoga and is the Director of Sri Surya Prakash Institute of Yoga for Women. She visited Europe and America, in 1970, in 1981 and 1992 and delivered talks on Yoga, Indian Womanhood etc., before various womens associations and cultural organisations. Dr. Ramans recreations included lawn tennis and gardening.A teetotaller of the strictest order, his daily routine until the last day included Sandhyavandana and Gayatri Japa both in the morning and the evening, Yoga and Pranayama and a long walk in the evening. He followed the teachings of Lord Krishna as given in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and this was evident in everything he said or did in his life. He was an institution unto himself. A man of great simplicity and sincerity, he had a kind word for everyone he came across, no matter whoever it was. He was a classic example of the ideal of the Rishi of ancient India in modern world, with his exemplary life of simple living and high thinking. It would not be an exaggeration to say there will not be another like him. His loss to the world of astrology and ancient Indian ideals is irreparable. Dr. Raman's efforts in propagating Indian astrology across the globe are unrivalled. In his passing away, the world of astrology is plunged in darkness. But we hope and pray the momentum Dr. Raman has given the wave of Indian astrology will continue to gather greater and greater strength until the world recognizes its relevance to modern times and acknowledges its unique position in the hierarchy of sciences. |
Dr.
B. V. Raman (1912-1998)